U.S. patent application number 10/580693 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-26 for recommended program notification method and recommended program notification device.
Invention is credited to Mitsuteru Kataoka.
Application Number | 20070094292 10/580693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34736501 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070094292 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kataoka; Mitsuteru |
April 26, 2007 |
Recommended program notification method and recommended program
notification device
Abstract
When detecting the start of a recommended program, a recommended
program notification device displays a notification screen (121)
indicating the existence of a recommended program. When a
recommendation control instruction is input while the notification
screen (121) is being displayed, the recommended program
notification device displays a recommendation list window (132)
indicating a list of recommended programs. When a predetermined
time has elapsed, and when an instruction other than the
recommendation control instruction is input, while the notification
screen (121) is being displayed, the recommended program
notification device erases the notification screen (121). The
recommended program notification device may display the
notification screen when selected stations are changed. Thereby, a
user can obtain information about a recommended program without
inputting any instruction.
Inventors: |
Kataoka; Mitsuteru; (Osaka,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK L.L.P.
2033 K. STREET, NW
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
34736501 |
Appl. No.: |
10/580693 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 22, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP04/19229 |
371 Date: |
May 26, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 ; 348/E5.105;
348/E7.061; 707/999.102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/482 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 21/442 20130101; H04N 21/4882 20130101;
H04N 21/4532 20130101; H04N 21/4668 20130101; H04N 7/163
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
707/102 |
International
Class: |
G06F 7/00 20060101
G06F007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 26, 2003 |
JP |
2003-433113 |
Claims
1. A recommended program notification method of notifying a user of
a recommended program, comprising the steps of: inputting a user's
instruction including a recommendation control instruction;
detecting notification timing with which a notification of a
recommended program is performed, when the recommendation control
instruction is not input; and displaying a notification screen
indicating the existence of a recommended program when the
notification timing is detected.
2. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, wherein the notification timing detecting step detects timing
with which a recommended program starts, as the notification
timing.
3. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, wherein the notification timing detecting step detects timing
with which selected stations are changed, as the notification
timing.
4. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, where the notification timing detecting step detects timing with
which a channel display starts, as the notification timing.
5. The recommended program notification method according to claim
4, further comprising erasing the notification screen when the
channel display is ended.
6. The recommended program notification method according to claim
5, wherein the channel display starts and ends, depending on an
input channel display control instruction.
7. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, further comprising displaying a list screen indicating a list of
recommended programs when the recommendation control instruction is
input while the notification screen is being displayed.
8. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, further comprising displaying a video of a recommended program
when the recommendation control instruction is input while the
notification screen is being displayed.
9. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, further comprising erasing the notification screen when a
predetermined time has elapsed while the notification screen is
being displayed.
10. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, further comprising erasing the notification screen when an
instruction other than the recommendation control instruction is
input while the notification screen is being displayed.
11. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, further comprising changing an information amount of a
recommended program included in the notification screen when the
recommendation control instruction is input.
12. The recommended program notification method according to claim
11, wherein as the information amount changing step, the following
steps are included: displaying a list screen indicating a list of
recommended programs when the recommendation control instruction is
input while the notification screen is not being displayed; erasing
the notification screen and displaying the list screen when the
recommendation control instruction is input while the notification
screen is being displayed; and erasing the list screen and
displaying a video of a recommended program when the recommendation
control instruction is input while the list screen is being
displayed.
13. The recommended program notification method according to claim
12, wherein the notification screen is an icon which is overlaid
and displayed on a program video.
14. The recommended program notification method according to claim
11, wherein as the information amount changing step, the following
steps are included: displaying a list screen indicating a list of
recommended programs when the recommendation control instruction is
input while the notification screen is not being displayed; erasing
the notification screen and displaying a simple list screen having
a less information amount than that of the list screen when the
recommendation control instruction is input while the notification
screen is being displayed; erasing the simple list screen and
displaying the list screen when the recommendation control
instruction is input while the simple list screen is being
displayed; and erasing the list screen and displaying a video of a
recommended program when the recommendation control instruction is
input while the list screen is being displayed.
15. The recommended program notification method according to claim
14, wherein the notification screen is an icon which is overlaid
and displayed on a program video, and the simple list screen is a
window which is overlaid and displayed on a program video.
16. The recommended program notification method according to claim
1, further comprising: obtaining a recommendation reason for a
program; and including the obtained recommendation reason in the
notification screen, wherein the obtained recommendation reason is
in a form which can be recognized by a user.
17. The recommended program notification method according to claim
16, wherein the recommendation reason is an element selected from
the group consisting of frequent viewing of a program, appearance
of a specific performer in a program, belonging of a program to a
specific genre, and inclusion of a specific character string in a
document accompanying a program.
18. The recommended program notification method according to claim
16, wherein the notification screen is an element selected from the
group consisting of an icon overlaid and displayed on a program
video, a window overlaid and displayed on a program video, and a
list screen indicating a list of recommended programs.
19. A recommended program notification device of notifying a user
of a recommended program, comprising: displaying means of
displaying a program video; inputting means for inputting a user's
instruction including a recommendation control instruction;
controlling means of controlling a content displayed on the
displaying means based on an instruction input using the inputting
means; and timing detecting means of detecting notification timing
with which a notification of a recommended program is performed,
when the recommendation control instruction is not input, wherein
the controlling means controls the displaying means to display a
notification screen indicating the existence of a recommended
program when the notification timing is detected by the timing
detecting means.
20. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the timing detecting means detects timing with which a
recommended program starts, as the notification timing.
21. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the timing detecting means detects timing with which
selected stations are changed, as the notification timing.
22. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, where the notification timing detecting means detects timing
with which a channel display starts, as the notification
timing.
23. The recommended program notification device according to claim
22, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
erase the notification screen when the channel display is
ended.
24. The recommended program notification device according to claim
23, wherein the channel display starts and ends, depending on an
input channel display control instruction.
25. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
display a list screen indicating a list of recommended programs
when the recommendation control instruction is input while the
notification screen is being displayed.
26. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
display a video of a recommended program when the recommendation
control instruction is input while the notification screen is being
displayed.
27. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
erase the notification screen when a predetermined time has elapsed
while the notification screen is being displayed.
28. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
erase the notification screen when an instruction other than the
recommendation control instruction is input while the notification
screen is being displayed.
29. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the controlling means changes an information amount of
a recommended program included in the notification screen when the
recommendation control instruction is input.
30. The recommended program notification device according to claim
29, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
display a list screen indicating a list of recommended programs
when the recommendation control instruction is input while the
notification screen is not being displayed; the controlling means
controls the displaying means to erase the notification screen and
display the list screen when the recommendation control instruction
is input while the notification screen is being displayed; and the
controlling means controls the displaying means to erase the list
screen and display a video of a recommended program when the
recommendation control instruction is input while the list screen
is being displayed.
31. The recommended program notification device according to claim
30, wherein the notification screen is an icon which is overlaid
and displayed on a program video.
32. The recommended program notification device according to claim
29, wherein the controlling means controls the displaying means to
display a list screen indicating a list of recommended programs
when the recommendation control instruction is input while the
notification screen is not being displayed; the controlling means
controls the displaying means to erase the notification screen and
display a simple list screen having a less information amount than
that of the list screen when the recommendation control instruction
is input while the notification screen is being displayed; the
controlling means controls the displaying means to erase the simple
list screen and display the list screen when the recommendation
control instruction is input while the simple list screen is being
displayed; and the controlling means controls the displaying means
to erase the list screen and display a video of a recommended
program when the recommendation control instruction is input while
the list screen is being displayed.
33. The recommended program notification device according to claim
32, wherein the notification screen is an icon which is overlaid
and displayed on a program video, and the simple list screen is a
window which is overlaid and displayed on a program video.
34. The recommended program notification device according to claim
19, wherein the controlling means obtains a recommendation reason
for a program, and includes the obtained recommendation reason in
the notification screen, wherein the obtained recommendation reason
is in a form which can be recognized by a user.
35. The recommended program notification device according to claim
34, wherein the recommendation reason is an element selected from
the group consisting of frequent viewing of a program, appearance
of a specific performer in a program, belonging of a program to a
specific genre, and inclusion of a specific character string in a
document accompanying a program.
36. The recommended program notification device according to claim
34, wherein the notification screen is an element selected from the
group consisting of an icon overlaid and displayed on a program
video, a window overlaid and displayed on a program video, and a
list screen indicating a list of recommended programs.
37. A computer recordable recording medium recording a program for
causing a computer to execute the recommended program notification
method according to claim 1.
39. A computer recordable recording medium recording a program for
causing a computer to execute the recommended program notification
method according to claim 19.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a device of
notifying a user of a recommended program. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a recommended program notification
method and a recommended program notification device of notifying
of the existence of a recommended program using GUI (Graphical User
Interface).
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] With the advent of multi-channel digital television
broadcast and the penetration of broad-band communications and the
Internet broadcast, the number of contents which a user can view is
rapidly increasing. The user obtains an electronic program table
(EPG: Electric Program Guide) of digital television broadcast or a
list of programs (also referred to as contents) which can be viewed
via, for example, a directory service on the Internet, and among
them, selects a program which the user actually views. However,
since the number of programs which the user can view is recently
excessively large, it is considerably difficult for the user to
select a program.
[0003] As an approach to solve the problem, a method and a device
of automatically recommend a program (content) which fits a user's
preference has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1
describes a method of automatically learning a user's preference
based on a history of viewing television broadcasts, and based on
the result of the learning, and presenting recommended programs
assigned with precedences to the user. Patent Document 2 describes
a method of automatically learning a user's preference and
recommending a web site which fits the user's preference.
[0004] A conventional recommended program presentation device of
presenting a program which fits a user's preference to the user
will be described with reference to FIG. 19. The conventional
recommended program presentation device 91 of FIG. 19 comprises a
recommendation process section 2, an input section 5, a profile
management section 6, a drawing section 7, a display combination
section 8, a display section 9, a content attribute management
section 10, a reception section 11, a content reproduction section
12, and an UI control section 93. Note that the configuration of
the recommended program presentation device 91 is similar to that
of a recommended program notification device according to the
present invention described below (see FIG. 1) Therefore, here,
components of FIG. 19 which are the same as those of FIG. 1 are
referenced with the same reference numerals and will be only simply
described.
[0005] The reception section 11 performs an decryption process or
an error correction process with respect to a received signal
containing a content, and outputs the content and attribute data
accompanying the content (hereinafter referred to as content
attributes). The content reproduction section 12 decodes the
content output from the reception section 11. The content attribute
management section 10 stores and manages the content attributes
output from the reception section 11. The content attributes
include, for example, a broadcast date and a channel of a program,
a program genre, an abstract of a content, and the like. The input
section 5 is an input means for inputting a user's instruction. The
UI control section 93 is a control section for the whole
recommended program presentation device 91. For example, when
receiving an instruction from the user via the input section 5, the
UI control section 93 changes its internal state to control the
recommendation process section 2, the drawing section 7, and the
like.
[0006] The profile management section 6 stores and manages user's
preference information (hereinafter referred to as a profile). The
recommendation process section 2 performs a process of obtaining
information about a content to be recommended to the user, and a
process of updating the profile stored in the profile management
section 6, based on the content attributes stored in the content
attribute management section 10, in accordance with the UI control
section 93. The drawing section 7 generates a bitmap image to be
displayed on a screen, in accordance with a control performed by
the UI control section 93. The display combination section 8
combines a result of decoding by the content reproduction section
12 and a bitmap image generated by the drawing section 7. The
display section 9 displays a result of combination by the display
combination section 8.
[0007] FIGS. 20A to 20C are diagrams illustrating a GUI display in
the conventional recommended program presentation device 91. A
screen 910 illustrated in FIG. 20A is an initial screen before a
recommended program presenting process is performed. On the screen
910, a television broadcast program video 911 is displayed on the
full screen.
[0008] A screen 920 of FIG. 20B is displayed by the user pressing
down a recommended counter program button of the input section 5
while the screen 910 is being displayed. On the screen 920, a
window 921 generated by the recommended program presentation device
91 is overlaid and displayed on a television broadcast program
video. On the window 921, programs (counter programs) which are
currently broadcast on different channels are displayed in order of
the level of recommendation to the user, highest first. One of the
plurality of programs displayed on the window 921 is marked by a
focus 922. When the user presses down an up or down button of the
input section 5, the focus 922 is moved to an upper or lower
program.
[0009] The recommended program presentation device 91 performs the
following process in order to display the screen 920 in which the
window 921 is overlaid on a program video. When the user presses
down the recommended counter program button, the input section 5
outputs operation information indicating such an operation. The UI
control section 93 receives the operation information,
recommendation control information which provides an instruction to
select a recommended program among currently broadcast programs, is
output to the recommendation process section 2. The recommendation
process section 2 receives the recommendation control information,
searches content attributes stored in the content attribute
management section 10, and reads out currently broadcast programs
and their content attributes. Next, the recommendation process
section 2 reads out a profile from the profile management section
6, and calculates a fitting level between the content attributes
and the profile for each of the currently broadcast programs.
Further, the recommendation process section 2 sorts the currently
broadcast programs in order of fitting level, highest first, and
outputs the result as recommendation information. The UI control
section 93 receives the recommendation information, and outputs
drawing information for displaying the window 921 to the drawing
section 7. Thereby, the display section 9 displays the screen 920
in which the window 921 is overlaid on a program video.
[0010] A screen 930 of FIG. 20C is displayed by the user pressing
down an enter button of the input section 5 while the screen 920 is
being displayed. When the enter button is pressed, a program marked
by the focus 922 in the window 921 is displayed on the full screen.
Thereby, on the screen 930, a new program video 931 (here, a video
of a program "Hanako Nakamura's Big Show 2004") is displayed on the
full screen.
[0011] In the conventional recommended program presentation device
91, if roughly divided, a process of learning a user's preference
(FIG. 21) and a process of recommending a program (content) based
on the user's preference (FIG. 22) are performed. FIG. 21 is a
flowchart of a preference learning process performed in the
recommended program presentation device 91. In the preference
learning process, the following steps are executed.
[0012] (Step S901) When selected stations are changed, the control
of the recommended program presentation device 91 goes to step
S903, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
presentation device 91 goes to step S902. In this step, when
operation information output from the input section 5 indicates
changing of selected stations, the UI control section 93 outputs
recommendation control information indicating that matter to the
recommendation process section 2.
[0013] (Step S902) When the next program starts, the control of the
recommended program presentation device 91 goes to step S903, and
when otherwise, the control of the recommended program presentation
device 91 goes to step S901. In this step, the UI control section
93 reads the content attributes of the next program on a currently
selected channel from the content attribute management section 10,
and compares a program start time contained in the read content
attributes with a current time, to determine whether or not the
next program starts. When the next program starts, the UI control
section 93 outputs recommendation control information indicating
that matter to the recommendation process section 2.
[0014] (Step S903) The recommended program presentation device 91
obtains the content attributes of a currently displayed program. In
this step, the recommendation process section 2 reads out the
content attributes of a currently displayed program from the
content attribute management section 10, which is triggered by the
recommendation control information output from the UI control
section 93 in step S901 or S902.
[0015] (Step S904) The recommended program presentation device 91
updates preference information in accordance with the content
attributes obtained in step S903. In this step, the recommendation
process section 2 updates the profile (preference information)
stored in the profile management section 6, based on the content
attributes obtained in step S903. Any method of updating a profile
may be used. For example, as a simple method, statistics
information indicating the frequency of the value of each of the
obtained content attributes can be used as a profile. After step
S904, the control of the recommended program presentation device 91
goes to step S901.
[0016] As described above, in the recommended program presentation
device 91, the profile is updated when the user changes selected
stations and when the program starts. Therefore, all contents which
have been viewed by the user are reflected on the profile.
Therefore, it is possible to obtain a profile indicating a user's
preference.
[0017] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a program recommendation process
in the conventional recommended program presentation device 91. In
the program recommendation process, the following steps are
executed.
[0018] (Step S921) The recommended program presentation device 91
reads an input. In this step, the input section 5 outputs operation
information corresponding to a user's operation. Note that, even
when there is not an input, the control of the recommended program
presentation device 91 is assumed to immediately go to the next
step (here, step S922) without waiting. Note that going to the next
step without waiting is called "non-block" in the field of computer
programming.
[0019] (Step S922) When a recommendation button is pressed, the
control of the recommended program presentation device 91 goes to
step S923, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended
program presentation device 91 goes to step S921. In this step, the
UI control section 93 determines whether or not operation
information output from the input section 5 indicates that the
recommendation button has been pressed. When the determination
performed by the UI control section 93 is positive, the UI control
section 93 outputs recommendation control information which
provides an instruction to produce a recommendation list, to the
recommendation process section 2.
[0020] (Step S923) The recommended program presentation device 91
searches currently broadcast programs. In this step, the
recommendation process section 2 receives the recommendation
control information output from the UI control section 93 in step
S922, and searches the content attributes stored in the content
attribute management section 10, to obtain a list of currently
broadcast programs.
[0021] (Step S924) The recommended program presentation device 91
sorts contents included in the result of the search in order of
recommendation level, highest first. In this step, for each of the
currently broadcast programs obtained in step S923, the
recommendation process section 2 compares the content attributes of
the program stored in the content attribute management section 10
with the profile stored in the profile management section 6, to
obtain the level of recommendation to the user. Thereafter, the
recommendation process section 2 sorts the contents included in the
search result in order of recommendation level, highest first.
[0022] (Step S925) The recommended program presentation device 91
selects a predetermined number of contents having high
recommendation levels from the contents included in the search
result. In this step, the recommendation process section 2 selects
a predetermined number of contents in order of recommendation
level, highest first, from the programlist sorted in step S924, and
outputs a list of the selected contents arranged in order of
recommendation level, highest first, as recommendation information
to the UI control section 93.
[0023] (Step S926) The recommended program presentation device 91
displays the selected contents as a recommendation list. In this
step, the UI control section 93 outputs drawing information for
displaying the content (program) list contained in the
recommendation information output from the recommendation process
section 2, to the drawing section 7. Thereby, the display section 9
displays the recommended program list.
[0024] (Step S927) The recommended program presentation device 91
reads an input, as in step S921.
[0025] (Step S928) When a focus shift button is pressed, the
control of the recommended program presentation device 91 goes to
step S929, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended
program presentation device 91 goes to step S930. In this step, the
UI control section 93 determines whether or not operation
information output from the input section 5 indicates that the
focus shift button has been pressed.
[0026] (Step S929) The recommended program presentation device 91
shifts the focus on the screen. In this step, the UI control
section 93 outputs drawing information for redrawing the focus
displayed on the screen, at a position to which the focus has been
shifted in accordance with the pressed focus shift button, to the
drawing section 7. After step S929, the control of the recommended
program presentation device 91 goes to step S927.
[0027] (Step S930) When the enter button is pressed, the control of
the recommended program presentation device 91 goes to step S931,
and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
presentation device 91 goes to step S921. In this step, the UI
control section 93 determines whether or not the operation
information input from the input section 5 indicates that the enter
button has been pressed.
[0028] (Step S931) The recommended program presentation device 91
changes a selected station to a channel which broadcasts a program
marked by the focus when the enter button is pressed. In this step,
the UI control section 93 outputs, to the content reproduction
section 12, a request to select a channel which broadcasts a
program marked by the focus when the enter button is pressed. The
content reproduction section 12 changes selected stations, which is
triggered by the request.
[0029] (Step S932) The recommended program presentation device 91
displays a television video on the full screen. In this step, the
UI control section 93 removes the drawing information of the
drawing section 7. Thereby, the drawing section 7 no longer outputs
a bitmap image, and the display section 9 displays only the result
of decoding performed by the content reproduction section 12 on the
full screen. After step S932, the control of the recommended
program presentation device 91 goes to step S921.
[0030] In the conventional recommended program presentation device
91, a data structure illustrated in FIG. 23 is used. In FIG. 23, an
exemplary profile 95 stored in the profile management section 6 and
exemplary content attributes 98 extracted in the reception section
11 are illustrated. The profile 95 includes data 96 which is in the
form of a table indicating a score for each genre and data 97 which
is in the form of a table indicating a score for each performer. In
the data 96 and 97, items which fit a user's preference are
assigned with higher scores. The content attributes 98 include the
attribute names and the attribute values of five content attributes
(a broadcast channel, a date, a title, a genre, and a performer)
for one program.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
9-83891
[Non-Patent Document 1] Hiroshi Kutsumi, et al., "Development of a
User Adaptive Home Page Recommendation Software, `Web navigator`",
the IEICE transactions (D-II), Vol. J84-D-II, No. 6, pp. 1149-1157,
June, 2001
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0031] The conventional recommended program presentation device 91
has the following problems. Note that an "n-th problem" described
below (n is a natural number, the same is true of descriptions
below) is solved by an "n-th embodiment" described below.
[0032] (First problem) In the conventional recommended program
presentation device, in order to use the program recommendation
function, the user needs to provide an explicit instruction to use
the program recommendation function by, for example, pressing the
recommendation button. The user feels trouble with this operation.
In addition, when the user concentrates on viewing a program, so
that the user forgets to press the recommended counter program
button, the user may fail to view a recommended program from the
beginning. In addition, if a screen indicating a recommended
program occupies a large area in the whole screen, a program video
is hidden, so that viewing of the program is obstructed.
Particularly, when a plurality of users view the same screen, a
screen displaying a recommended program is nothing but an
obstruction to viewing the program for users other than a user who
wants to receive program recommendation. In addition, the user
needs to learn a new operation in order to use the program
recommendation function (e.g., pressing the recommendation button,
etc.). Unless the user learns this operation, the user cannot use
the program recommendation function.
[0033] (Second problem) When the user changes selected stations,
there are the case where a selected station is changed to a
specific broadcast channel after the next program to be viewed is
determined, and the case where programs other than a program on a
currently selected broadcast channel are searched for the next
program. In the latter case, the user changes selected stations
some times to search for a program which fits his/her preference.
Therefore, when program recommendation is received after changing
selected stations a number of times, the user only receives
recommendation of a program which has been known by selecting a
series of stations. Therefore, the program recommendation function
has a small effect. Therefore, a most effective timing of program
recommendation is considered to be after or before selecting a
station. However, assuming that the user invariably presses the
recommendation button before selecting a station, even when there
is not an appropriate recommended program, a screen indicating a
meaningless recommended program is displayed.
[0034] (Third problem) The user may want to display only a program
video on the screen. However, when a channel and, in addition, a
recommended program are displayed on the screen, the user needs to
perform both an operation of ending the channel display and an
operation of erasing a screen indicating a recommended program. The
user feels trouble with performing these two operations
separately.
[0035] (Fourth problem) The conventional recommended program
presentation device has only two states: a state that information
about a recommended program is not displayed; and a state that a
screen indicating a recommended program is overlaid and displayed
on a program video. Therefore, when a plurality of users view the
same screen, either one of the following states inevitably occurs:
a state that all members view a program; and all members view
information about a recommended program without viewing a program.
If the information amount of a recommended program is increased, a
program video is more hidden, so that viewing of the program is
further obstructed. Conversely, if the information amount of a
recommended program is decreased, information for determining
whether or not to view a recommended program becomes insufficient,
so that the meaning of presenting the information about a
recommended program is lost. However, the amount of information
about a recommended program which should be displayed varies
depending on a user's condition or the contents of a recommended
program, and therefore, a necessary and sufficient amount thereof
cannot be previously determined.
[0036] (Fifth problem) The conventional recommended program
presentation device cannot meet a demand of a user who wants to
know the existence or nonexistence of a recommended program, but
not the contents of the recommended program.
[0037] (Sixth problem) Even when receiving presentation of a
recommended program, the user does not initiate an action for
viewing the recommended program if the user is not motivated to
view the program. The user determines whether or not to view a
recommended program based on whether or not the program fits
his/her preference. The user needs to check various attributes of a
program (e.g., a genre, a performer, a program title, program
contents, etc.) in order to accurately perform the above-described
determination, however, the user feels trouble with the checking.
When a program which the user views every week is recommended, the
user may not determine whether or not the recommended program fits
his/her preference. In addition, when a plurality of users share
one recommended program presentation device, and the recommended
program presentation device handles the sum of sets of a plurality
of pieces of user's preference information as user's preference
information, a program which does not necessarily fit a currently
used user's preference may be recommended. When a program which
does not fit a user's preference is recommended after an effort is
expended to check program attributes, the user no longer trusts the
program recommendation function.
Solution to the Problems
[0038] To achieve the above objects, the present invention has the
following aspects. Note that an "n-th aspect" described below
corresponds to the "n-th embodiment" described below.
[0039] (First aspect) A recommended program notification device
displays a notification screen indicating the existence of a
recommended program when detecting the start of a recommended
program. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of
the notification screen, or when an instruction other than a
recommendation control instruction is input, the recommended
program notification device erases the notification screen.
[0040] (Second aspect) The recommended program notification device
displays a notification screen indicating the existence of a
recommended program when detecting changing of selected stations.
When a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the
notification screen, or when an instruction other than a
recommendation control instruction is input, the recommended
program notification device erases the notification screen.
[0041] (Third aspect) The recommended program notification device
displays a notification screen indicating the existence of a
recommended program when detecting the start of a channel display.
When a predetermined time has elapsed since the display of the
notification screen, or when an instruction other than a
recommendation control instruction is input, the recommended
program notification device erases the notification screen. The
channel display starts and ends, depending on a channel display
control instruction.
[0042] (Fourth aspect) The recommended program notification device
displays a list screen indicating a list of recommended programs
when a recommendation control instruction is input while a
notification screen is not being displayed; erases a notification
screen and displays a list screen when a recommendation control
instruction is input while the notification screen is being
displayed; and erases a list screen and displays a video of a
recommended program when a recommendation control instruction is
input while the list screen is being displayed.
[0043] (Fifth aspect) The recommended program notification device
displays a list screen indicating a list of recommended programs
when a recommendation control instruction is input while a
notification screen is not being displayed; erases a notification
screen and displays a simple list screen when a recommendation
control instruction is input while the notification screen is being
displayed; erases a simple list screen and displays a list screen
when a recommendation control instruction is input while the simple
list screen is being displayed; and erases a list screen and
displays a video of a recommended program when a recommendation
control instruction is input while the list screen is being
displayed.
[0044] (Sixth aspect) The recommended program notification device
obtains a recommendation reason of a program and displays a
notification screen including the obtained recommendation reason.
Examples of the recommendation reason include frequent viewing of a
program, belonging of a program to a specific genre, appearance of
a specific performer in a program, and inclusion of a specific
character string in a document accompanying a program.
Effest of the Invention
[0045] The first to sixth aspects of the present invention have the
following effects. Note that an "n-th effect" described below
corresponds to the "n-th embodiment" described below.
[0046] (First effect) When a recommended program starts, a
notification screen indicating the existence of the recommended
program is automatically displayed. Therefore, the user does not
need to input a recommendation control instruction a number of
times until a recommended program is found. The notification screen
is displayed, interrupting a program video, so that the user does
not fail to view the next program even when the user concentrates
on viewing the program. In addition, by overlaying and displaying a
notification screen including information about a limited number of
recommended programs on the program video, it is possible to reduce
the area of the notification screen, so that viewing of the program
can be prevented from being obstructed. In addition, by including
required minimum information for determining whether or not to view
a program in the notification screen, the user can determine
correctly based on the information. Based on the result of the
determination, the user changes selected stations to view the
program when the user wants to view the program, and does not
change stations when the user does not want to view the program. In
the latter case, even when the user does not perform an operation,
the recommended program notification device automatically erases
the notification screen if a predetermined condition is
established. These operations are not troublesome for the user, and
the user does not need to learn an operation method of using the
program recommendation function.
[0047] In addition, by erasing a notification screen immediately
when an instruction other than the recommendation control
instruction is input as required, viewing of a program is not
obstructed by the notification screen. In addition, by presenting a
list screen indicating a list of recommended programs, information
about the recommended programs, which is sufficient in terms of
quantity and quality, can be presented to the user. Thereby, it is
possible to satisfy a wide variety of needs and provide necessary
and sufficient information by a simple operation for from a user
who is not interested in recommendation of a program to a user who
wants detailed information about a recommended program.
[0048] (Second effect) Since selected stations are not changed
while the user is viewing a certain program, a notification screen
is not displayed. Therefore, a notification screen does not prevent
viewing of a program. On the other hand, when the user changes
selected stations in order to view another program, the user can
receive program recommendation timely. Since, generally, the user
knows a station selection operation well, the user does not need to
learn a new operation in order to use the program recommendation
function. Further, as in the first effect, it is possible to
satisfy a wide variety of needs and provide necessary and
sufficient information by a simple operation for from a user who is
not interested in recommendation of a program to a user who wants
detailed information about a recommended program.
[0049] (Third effect) A notification screen is displayed and erased
in association with a channel display, so that the user can use the
recommended program notification function without knowing an
operation method. If a notification screen is automatically erased
after a predetermined time has elapsed, the user can erase the
notification screen while leaving a channel display without
performing any operation. When the user wants to erase a channel
display, it is highly possible that a notification screen is also
an obstruction. Therefore, if a notification screen is erased in
association with the end of a channel display, the channel display
and the notification screen together can be erased without the user
learning a new operation.
[0050] (Fourth effect) If the user inputs the recommendation
control instruction irrespective of the displayed state of a
notification screen, the user can use the program recommendation
function. By inputting a required number of recommendation control
instructions, the information amount of a recommended program can
be changed in a stepwise manner. Therefore, the user can perform a
correct determination based on necessary and sufficient information
for determining whether or not to view a program. In addition, if a
notification screen does not include information more than
necessary, it is possible to reduce the size of the notification
screen, so that viewing of a program can be prevented from being
obstructed.
[0051] (Fifth effect) By adding a new state before reaching a state
that a list screen is displayed, the user can obtain necessary and
sufficient information for determining whether or not to view a
program, in addition to the fourth effect. An operation of using
the program recommendation function is the same as the fourth means
and is considerably simple.
[0052] (Sixth effect) Since a recommendation reason for a program
is displayed, the user can quickly determine whether or not to view
the program, based on the displayed recommendation reason. When a
conventional recommended program presentation device is used, the
user needs to determine whether or not information about a
recommended program includes a content in which the user is
interested. In contrast to this, according to the recommended
program notification device of the present invention, the user does
not need to perform the above-described operation. In addition, if
a program which does not have an appropriate recommendation reason
is not included in a notification screen, further narrowed
recommended program candidates can be preferentially presented to
the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0053] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of
a recommended program notification device of the present invention
which supports digital television broadcast.
[0054] [FIG. 2] FIGS. 2A to 2C are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in the recommended program notification device of the
first embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 is a state transition diagram of the
recommended program notification device of the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0056] [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a notification process of
the recommended program notification device of the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0057] [FIG. 5] FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in a recommended program notification device according to
a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] [FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is a state transition diagram of the
recommended program notification device of the second embodiment of
the present invention.
[0059] [FIG. 7] FIG. 7is a flowchart of a notification process of
the recommended program notification device of the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] [FIG. 8] FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in a recommended program notification device according to
a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a state transition diagram of the
recommended program notification device of the third embodiment of
the present invention.
[0062] [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a notification process
of the recommended program notification device of the third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] [FIG. 11] FIGS. 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in a recommended program notification device according to
a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0064] [FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is a state transition diagram of the
recommended program notification device of the fourth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0065] [FIG. 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a notification process
of the recommended program notification device of the fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0066] [FIG. 14] FIGS. 14A to 14D are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in a recommended program notification device according to
a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] [FIG. 15] FIG. 15 is a state transition diagram of the
recommended program notification device of the fifth embodiment of
the present invention.
[0068] [FIG. 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a notification process
of the recommended program notification device of the fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0069] [FIG. 17] FIGS. 17A to 17C are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in a recommended program notification device according to
a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
[0070] [FIG. 18] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a notification process
of the recommended program notification device of the sixth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] [FIG. 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration
of a conventional recommended program notification device.
[0072] [FIG. 20] FIGS. 20A to 20C are diagrams illustrating GUI
displays in the conventional recommended program notification
device.
[0073] [FIG. 21] FIG. 21 is a flowchart of a preference learning
process of the conventional recommended program notification
device.
[0074] [FIG. 22] FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a program recommendation
process of the conventional recommended program notification
device.
[0075] [FIG. 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a data structure
of the conventional recommended program notification device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0076] 1 recommended program notification device
[0077] 2 recommendation process section
[0078] 3 UI control section
[0079] 4 timing detection section
[0080] 5 input section
[0081] 6 profile management section
[0082] 7 drawing section
[0083] 8 display combination section
[0084] 9 display section
[0085] 10 content attribute management section
[0086] 11 reception section
[0087] 12 content reproduction section
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0088] Hereinafter, recommended program notification devices
according to a first to sixth embodiments of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
each embodiment, a recommended program notification method and a
recommended program notification device of notifying a user of a
recommended program, among a plurality of programs (also referred
to as contents) broadcast by digital television broadcast. The
recommended program notification method and the recommended program
notification device described below are characterized by detecting
notification timing with which a notification of a recommended
program is performed, in the absence of input of a recommendation
control instruction, and when notification timing is detected,
displaying a notification screen indicating the existence of the
recommended program.
[0089] Before describing details of the embodiments, a
configuration of the recommended program notification devices which
is used in common by the embodiments, will be described. FIG. 1 is
a diagram illustrating the configuration of the recommended program
notification devices of the embodiments of the present invention. A
recommended program notification device 1 of FIG. 1 is one which
supports digital television broadcast. The recommended program
notification device 1 comprises a recommendation process section 2,
an UI control section 3, an input section 5, a profile management
section 6, a drawing section 7, a display combination section 8, a
display section 9, a content attribute management section 10, a
reception section 11, and a content reproduction section 12.
[0090] The recommended program notification device 1 receives a
signal containing a content from a broadcast station (not shown).
The reception section 11 subjects the received signal to a
decryption process and an error correction process to output a
content and attribute data (content attributes) accompanying the
content. The reception section 11 is, for example, a tuner module
for a digital television set, or the like.
[0091] The content reproduction section 12 receives the content
output from the reception section 11. The content reproduction
section 12 decodes the input content and outputs the decoded signal
(hereinafter referred to as content display information). For
example, when the content is a video/audio signal which is
compliant with MPEG-2 (Motion Picture Expert Group-2), the content
reproduction section 12 is an MPEG-2 decoder or the like.
[0092] The content attribute management section 10 stores and
manages the content attributes output from the reception section
11. A content attribute is attribute information which is
associated with a corresponding content, including, for example, a
method of obtaining the content (a broadcast date and a broadcast
channel in digital television broadcast, an URI (Uniform Resource
Identifier) on the Internet, etc.), content classification
(classification based on a program genre, classification in a
search engine, etc.), an abstract of the content, a related key
word, billing information, a performer (a character), and the like.
The content attribute management section 10 outputs a required
portion of the stored content attributes, depending on a request
from the recommendation process section 2, the UI control section
3, the drawing section 7, or the like.
[0093] The input section 5 is an input means for inputting a user's
instruction. The input section 5 converts a user's physical
operation into operation information which can be processed in the
recommended program notification device 1, and outputs the
operation information. The input section 5 may be, for example, a
remote control device comprising a program table button, a
recommendation button, a banner display button, an enter button, up
and down buttons, a return button, and the like. In this case, the
recommendation button is used to input a recommendation control
instruction, and the banner display button is used to input a
channel display control instruction. The input section 5 may also
be, for example, a pointing device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse,
etc.), or a combination of a microphone, a speech recognition
engine, or the like which can input instructions as with the
above-described plurality of buttons. The function of the
recommendation button may be achieved by other buttons or the like.
For example, when the enter button is pressed or a mouse button is
clicked while a specific screen is being displayed, an effect
similar to when the recommendation button is pressed may be
provided.
[0094] The UI control section 3 is a control section for the whole
recommended program notification device 1, and performs state
transitions of the whole recommended program notification device
land manages an interaction process with respect to the user using
GUI, and the like. More specifically, the UI control section 3
outputs drawing information (a command to draw characters,
graphics, or the like) for constructing a screen image, to the
drawing section 7 in order to manage screens displayed on the
display section 9, and when a user's instruction is input from the
input section 5, performs changing of screens or a state
transition.
[0095] The UI control section 3 performs a process of detecting
notification timing with which a notification of a recommended
program is performed, thereby also serving as a timing detection
section 4. The timing detection section 4 is characterized by
detecting notification timing with which a notification of a
recommended program is performed, when a recommendation control
instruction has not been input (specifically, the recommendation
button has not been pressed). Also when notification timing is
detected, the UI control section 3 performs changing of screens or
a state transition. Details of the notification timing detection
process of the UI control section 3 will be described below.
[0096] The profile management section 6 stores and manages
information (profile) indicating a user's preference. The profile
management section 6 is, for example, a storage medium, such as a
semiconductor memory, a magnetic storage medium, or the like. The
recommendation process section 2 receives a signal indicating a
process request from the UI control section 3 (hereinafter referred
to as recommendation control information), and outputs information
about a content to be recommended to the user (herein after
referred to as recommendation information) based on the content
attributes stored in the content attribute management section 10.
The recommendation process section 2 is also connected to the
profile management section 6, and when generating recommendation
information, updates the profile stored in the profile management
section 6. The profile is updated based on operation information
output from the input section 5, the content attributes of a
currently displayed program, or the like.
[0097] The drawing section 7 converts the drawing information
output from the UI control section 3 into a bitmap image of a
screen (hereinafter referred to as graphics display information).
The display combination section 8 combines the content display
information output from the content reproduction section 12 and the
graphics display information output from the drawing section 7 to
obtain a bit map image signal (herein after referred to as display
information). In this case, the display combination section 8
performs an image combination process called "overlay" with respect
to the content display information and the graphics display
information. The display section 9 converts the display information
obtained in the display combination section 8 into a physical
phenomenon which can be recognized by the user, thereby presenting
a screen to the user. The display section 9 is, for example, a
cathode-ray tube, a liquid crystal panel, or the like of a
television set.
[0098] Although, in FIG. 1, as an example of the recommended
program notification device, the recommended program notification
device 1 which supports digital television broadcast has been
described, a recommended program notification device which supports
digital radio broadcast or data broadcast can be similarly
configured. The recommended program notification device can also be
applied to: analog broadcast which transmits EPG data using a
method (e.g., communications, etc.) different from that of video;
FM character multiplex broadcast and television character broadcast
which transmit data multiplexed with analog broadcast; and the
like. The recommended program notification device may also receive
a content via communications, but not via broadcast. For example,
by changing only the reception section 11, a recommended program
notification device can be configured to support broad-band
broadcast, video on demand, or content distribution.
[0099] <First Embodiment>
[0100] In the first embodiment, a method of automatically
displaying a notification screen indicating a recommended program
when the recommended program starts, will be described. FIGS. 2A to
2C are diagrams illustrating GUI displays in the recommended
program notification device of this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a state
transition diagram of the recommended program notification device
of this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the recommended
program notification device of this embodiment performs state
transitions between a non-displayed state ST11, a notification
screen displayed state ST12, and a recommendation list displayed
state ST13. Screens 110, 120, and 130 illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C
are exemplary screens in the non-displayed state ST11, the
notification screen displayed state ST12, and the recommendation
list displayed state ST13, respectively.
[0101] Here, notation used in the state transition diagram will be
described. In the state transition diagram, a circle (including a
double circle) indicates one state of the recommended program
notification device, and an arrow connecting two circles indicates
a state transition. A character string attached to an arrow
indicates a condition for occurrence of a state transition
corresponding to the arrow. A double circle indicates an initial
state (a state immediately after start-up) of the recommended
program notification device. Note that, for the sake of
understanding of the figures, the end point of an arrow at whose
start point a character string "START" is described, is connected
to the initial state.
[0102] Changing of displayed screens in the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 2A to 2C and 3. In the non-displayed state ST11,
as illustrated in FIG. 2A, only a video of a program broadcast on a
currently selected broadcast channel (hereinafter referred to as a
selected-station program video) is displayed on the full screen
110. On the screen 110, nothing other than the selected-station
program video is displayed. In the notification screen displayed
state ST12, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the selected-station program
video is displayed on the full screen 120, and is overlaid with a
notification screen 121, which is a pop-up window (overlay
display). In the recommendation list displayed state ST13, as
illustrated in FIG. 2C, the selected-station program video is
displayed in a PinP (Picture in Picture) screen 131, and more
detailed information about a recommended program is displayed in a
recommendation list window 132.
[0103] In an initial state, the recommended program notification
device is in the non-displayed state ST11, and displays, for
example, the screen 110 of FIG. 2A. In the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, the UI control section 3
detects timing with which a recommended program starts, as
notification timing with which a notification screen is displayed.
More specifically, the UI control section 3 determines a time
earlier by a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) than when a
recommended program actually starts, as the timing with which the
recommended program starts, and is assumed to detect the
notification timing when the time comes. When the notification
timing is detected (i.e., the recommended program starts) in the
non-displayed state ST11, the recommended program notification
device goes to the notification screen displayed state ST12.
[0104] In the notification screen displayed state ST12, the
recommended program notification device displays the screen 120
(FIG. 2B) including, for example, the notification screen 121. The
notification screen 121 displays, as various types of information
about a recommended program, a recommendation level (represented by
the number of stars), a broadcast station name ("TV-A"), a start
time (20:10), an end time (20:55), and a title ("Project P") of the
program. Note that, in addition to the broadcast station name,
information for identifying a broadcast satellite or a
communications service via which a broadcast station performs
broadcast (hereinafter referred to as a network type) may be
displayed as "BS digital" and "FTTH" (abbreviation of Fiber To The
Home), for example.
[0105] The user knows the existence of a recommended program by the
notification screen 121 while viewing a selected-station program
video. When the user is interested in the recommended program
displayed in the notification screen 121, the user presses the
recommendation button of the input section 5 to obtain more
detailed information about the recommended program. When the
recommendation button is pressed in the notification screen
displayed state ST12, the recommended program notification device
goes to the recommendation list displayed state ST13. When a button
other than the recommendation button is pressed, the recommended
program notification device goes to the non-displayed state ST11.
Note that, when the enter button is pressed in the notification
screen displayed state ST12, the recommended program notification
device may display a video of the recommended program, or detailed
information for the recommended program (hereinafter referred to as
a program content) on the full screen.
[0106] In the recommendation list displayed state ST13, the
recommended program notification device displays the screen 130
(FIG. 2C) including, for example, the PinP screen 131 and the
recommendation list window 132. The recommendation list window 132
includes a list display area 133 and an information display area
135. In the list display area 133, information about recommended
programs which are broadcast at the current time is displayed as a
list. Each recommended program is associated with one row in the
list display area 133, and on each row, the recommendation level,
start time, endtime, broadcast station name, title, and the like of
the program are displayed. One row in the list display area 133
(corresponding to one program) is marked by a focus 134. In the
information display area 135, detailed information about the
program marked by the focus 134 is displayed. Note that the
recommended program notification device may display a network type
in addition to the contents of the screen 130 of FIG. 2C.
[0107] The user can know detailed information about each program by
shifting the focus 134 upward or downward in the list display area
133 using the up and down buttons of the input section 5. The user
presses the enter button of the input section 5 while a program
which the user wants to view is being marked by the focus 134. When
the enter button is pressed, the recommended program notification
device displays a video of the program marked by the focus 134.
Alternatively, when the enter button is pressed, the recommended
program notification device may display the program contents of the
program marked by the focus 134 on the full screen.
[0108] On the other hand, when the recommendation button is not
pressed in the notification screen displayed state ST12, the
recommended program notification device goes to the non-displayed
state ST11, and displays, for example, the screen 110 of FIG. 2A
again. Note that, here, the case where the recommendation button is
not pressed, includes the case where a predetermined time (e.g., 30
seconds) has elapsed without the user pressing any button, and the
case where the user presses a button other than the recommendation
button. In the former case, the reason why the recommended program
notification device goes to the non-displayed state ST11 is that,
even when the user ignores the notification screen 121, the
notification screen 121 is automatically erased by a time-out
process. In the latter case, the reason why the recommended program
notification device goes to the non-displayed state ST11 is that
the notification screen 121 is erased when the user determines that
the display of the notification screen 121 is an obstruction, and
provides an explicit instruction to erase the notification screen
121 (e.g., the return button is pressed), or when the user wants to
call another function, and provides an implicit instruction to
erase the notification screen 121 (e.g., the program table button
is pressed).
[0109] Note that, when the enter button or the like is pressed in
the notification screen displayed state ST12, the recommended
program notification device may immediately display a video of the
recommended program displayed in the notification screen 121.
Alternatively, in the notification screen displayed state ST12, the
recommended program notification device may display the
selected-station program video on a sub-screen as a PinP screen, or
change the aspect ratio (a ratio of the length to the width) of the
selected-station program video to produce an empty area on the
displayed screen, and provide the notification screen 121 in the
empty area instead of overlaying and displaying the notification
screen 121 (pop-up window) on the selected-station program video.
Alternatively, the recommended program notification device may
provide the notification screen 121 in an area which occurs due to
a mismatch between the aspect ratio of the selected-station program
video and the aspect ratio of the display section 9. Alternatively,
the recommended program notification device may comprise a second
display section which is different from the display section 9, and
display the notification screen 121 on the second display section.
For example, as the second display section, a remote control device
having a display function can be used.
[0110] When there are a plurality of recommended programs in the
notification screen displayed state ST12, the recommended program
notification device may simultaneously display information about
all recommended programs on the notification screen 121.
Alternatively, the recommended program notification device may
display information about a portion of the recommended programs on
the notification screen 121, and when the user presses the up or
down button, may vertically switch recommended programs to be
displayed. Alternatively, when information about one recommended
program is displayed on the notification screen 121 and the user
presses the recommendation button, the recommended program
notification device may switch a recommended program to be
displayed to the next program until the last recommended program
appears. In the notification screen 121, the program recommendation
level is represented by the number of stars. Instead of this, the
program recommendation level may be represented by a color, a
sentence, a bar graph, the speed of animation, or the like.
[0111] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a notification process of the
recommended program notification device of this embodiment. Among
steps illustrated in FIG. 4, steps S101, S102, and S109 correspond
to the non-displayed state ST11, steps S103 to S107 correspond to
the notification screen displayed state ST12, and step S108
corresponds to the recommendation list displayed state ST13.
[0112] (Step S101) When the next program starts on any channel
which currently performs broadcast, the control of the recommended
program notification device goes to step S102, and when otherwise,
the control of the recommended program notification device goes to
step S101. In this step, the UI control section 3 reads out the
content attributes of the next program on each channel which
currently performs broadcast from the content at tribute management
section 10, and compares the program start time contained in the
read content attributes with the current time, to determine whether
or not the current time is earlier by a predetermined time (e.g.,
one minute) than the start time of the next program. When the
result of the determination is positive, the UI control section 3
outputs recommendation control information containing the next
starting programs to the recommendation process section 2.
[0113] (Step S102) When the starting program is a recommended
program, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S103, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S101. In this
step, the recommendation process section 2 reads out the content
attributes of the next starting programs from the content attribute
management section 10, and using these content attributes, searches
the next starting programs for a program which fits a profile
(information indicating a user's preference) accumulated in the
profile management section 6. As a result of the search, an
obtained program becomes a recommended program. The recommendation
process section 2 notifies the UI control section 3 of the obtained
recommended program as recommendation information.
[0114] (Step S103) The recommended program notification device
displays a notification screen indicating a program which has been
determined that should be recommended in step S102. In this step,
the UI control section 3 outputs drawing information for displaying
a notification screen including information about the recommended
program, based on recommendation information received by the
recommendation process section 2. Thereby, the display section 9
displays the screen 120 including the notification screen 121 as
illustrated in, for example, FIG. 2B.
[0115] As described above, after step S101 of detecting the start
of the next program and step S102 of determining whether or not the
next starting program is a recommended program are executed, a
notification screen including information about the recommended
program is displayed in step S103. Therefore, a notification screen
is displayed only when the next starting program is a recommended
program.
[0116] (Step S104) The recommended program notification device
starts measuring an elapsed time. In this step, the UI control
section 3 internally records a time at which the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S104.
[0117] (Step S105) When a predetermined time has elapsed, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S109, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S106. In this step, the UI control
section 3 obtains a difference between the time recorded in step
S104 and the current time as an elapsed time, and determines
whether or not the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time (e.g.,
30 seconds).
[0118] (Step S106) When any button is pressed, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S107, and when
otherwise, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S105. In this step, the UI control section 3
determines whether or not any button is pressed, based on operation
information output from the input section 5.
[0119] (Step S107) When the button which is determined in step S106
that has been pressed is the recommendation button, the control of
the recommended program notification device goes to step S108, and
when otherwise, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S109.
[0120] (Step S108) The recommended program notification device
displays a screen indicating a list of recommended programs. In
this step, the UI control section 3 outputs drawing information for
displaying a list screen indicating a list of recommended programs,
based on the recommendation information received from the
recommendation process section 2. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG.
2, the display section 9 displays the screen 130 including the list
screen indicating the list of recommended programs.
[0121] (Step S109) The recommended program notification device
erases a notification screen. In this step, the UI control section
3 deletes drawing information about the notification screen 121.
The notification process of this embodiment is ended after
execution of step S108 or S109.
[0122] As described above, when the recommendation button is
pressed while a notification screen is being displayed, a list
screen indicating a list of recommended programs is displayed in
step S108. When a button other than the recommendation button is
pressed or a predetermined time has elapsed without any button
being pressed while a notification screen is being displayed, the
notification screen is erased in step S109.
[0123] As described above, according to the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, when a recommended program
starts, a notification screen indicating the existence of the
recommended program is automatically displayed, interrupting a
program video. Therefore, the user can recognize the existence of
the recommended program without performing a particular operation.
In addition, by overlaying and displaying a small notification
screen including required minimum information on a program video,
viewing of a program is prevented from being obstructed, and the
user is allowed to select an appropriate program.
[0124] <Second Embodiment>
[0125] In the second embodiment, a method of automatically
displaying a notification screen indicating a recommended program
when selected stations are changed, will be described. FIGS. 5A to
5C are diagrams illustrating GUI displays in a recommended program
notification device of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a state
transition diagram of the recommended program notification device
of this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the recommended
program notification device of this embodiment performs state
transitions between a non-displayed state ST21, a notification
screen displayed state ST22, and a recommendation list displayed
state ST23. Screens 210 and 220 of FIGS. 5A and 5B are exemplary
screens in the non-displayed state ST21 and the notification screen
displayed state ST22, respectively. The screen 230 of FIG. 5C is an
exemplary screen in the non-displayed state ST21 after the screen
220 is displayed.
[0126] Changing of displayed screens in the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 5A to 5C and 6. In the non-displayed state ST21,
as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5C, selected-station program videos
are displayed on the full screens 210 and 230. In the notification
screen displayed state ST22, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a
selected-station program video is displayed on the full screen 220,
which is overlaid with a notification screen 221 (pop-up window).
In the recommendation list displayed state ST23, as is the same as
the screen 130 of FIG. 2C, a list screen indicating a list of
recommended programs is displayed.
[0127] On the screens 210, 220, and 230, a channel display 211 for
identifying the broadcast channel of a selected station is
displayed. When selected stations are changed, the channel display
211 is changed to a content corresponding to the broadcast channel
of a selected station after the changing. The UI control section 3
outputs drawing information for performing a channel display.
Thereby, the display section 9 displays a screen including the
channel display. Note that the channel display included in the
screens 210, 220, and 230 includes only a broadcast channel name,
and the channel display may include a channel number, a network
type (ground wave, BS (Broadcast Satellite), FTTH, etc.), a title,
or the like.
[0128] In an initial state, the recommended program notification
device is in the non-displayed state ST21, and displays, for
example, the screen 210 of FIG. 5A. In the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, the UI control section 3
detects timing with which selected stations are changed as
notification timing with which a notification screen is displayed.
More specifically, the UI control section 3 is assumed to detect
the notification timing if a recommended program is present when
the user changes selected stations using the input section 5. When
detecting the notification timing in the non-displayed state ST21
(i.e., a recommended program is present when selected stations are
changed), the recommended program notification device goes to the
notification screen displayed state ST22.
[0129] Operations of the recommended program notification device of
this embodiment in the notification screen displayed state ST22 and
the recommendation list displayed state ST23 are the same as those
of the notification screen displayed state ST12 and the
recommendation list displayed state ST13 of the recommended program
notification device of the first embodiment, respectively. The
recommended program notification device displays the screen 220
(FIG. 5B) including, for example, the notification screen 221 in
the notification screen displayed state ST22, and displays a list
screen indicating a list of recommended programs, which is the same
as the screen 130 of FIG. 2C, in the recommendation list displayed
state ST23.
[0130] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a notification process of the
recommended program notification device of this embodiment. Among
steps illustrated in FIG. 7, steps S201, S202, and S209 correspond
to the non-displayed state ST21, steps S203 to S207 correspond to
the notification screen displayed state ST22, and step S208
corresponds to the recommendation list displayed state ST23. Steps
S203 to S209 are the same as steps S103 to S109 (FIG. 4) and will
not be here described.
[0131] (Step S201) When selected stations are changed, the control
of the recommended program notification device goes to step S202,
and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S201. In this step, when operation
information output from the input section 5 indicates changing of
selected stations, the UI control section 3 outputs recommendation
information indicating that matter to the recommendation process
section 2.
[0132] (Step S202) When there is a recommended program at that
time, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S203, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S201. In this
step, the recommendation process section 2 reads out the content
attributes of currently broadcast programs from the content
attribute management section 10, and using these content
attributes, searches the currently broadcast programs for a program
which fits a profile accumulated in the profile management section
6. The recommendation process section 2 notifies the UI control
section 3 of the obtained recommended program as recommendation
information.
[0133] As described above, after executing step S201 of detecting
changing of selected stations by the user, and step S202 of
determining whether or not there is a recommended program after
changing of selected stations, a notification screen including
information about the recommended program is displayed in step
S203. Therefore, a notification screen is displayed only when
selected stations are changed and there is a recommended
program.
[0134] Note that, as has been described so far, the recommended
program notification device displays a notification screen only if
there is a recommended program when selected stations are changed.
The timing of displaying a notification screen is not limited to
this. For example, the recommended program notification device may
display a notification screen when power is turned on or an access
to the Internet is ended. Alternatively, the recommended program
notification device has a function of validating or invalidating
the recommended program notification function, and may display a
notification screen when the setting of the recommended program
notification function is switched from invalid to valid. Even
assuming that there is a recommended program when selected stations
are changed, if a station selecting button or other buttons are
once pressed in the notification screen displayed state ST22, the
recommended program notification device may not determine that
there is a recommended program, in step S202.
[0135] As described above, according to the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, when selected stations are
changed, a notification screen indicating the existence of a
recommended program is automatically displayed, interrupting a
program video. Therefore, the user can recognize the existence of a
recommended program without performing a particular operation,
i.e., an effect similar to that of the first embodiment is
obtained.
[0136] <Third Embodiment>
[0137] In the third embodiment, a method of controlling a displayed
state of a notification screen indicating a recommended program,
corresponding to the start and end of a channel display, will be
described. The channel display refers to a screen display including
information (e.g., a broadcast station name) for identifying a
currently selected broadcast channel. For example, the channel
display 211 of FIG. 5A and a detailed channel banner 311
illustrated in FIG. 8A are exemplary channel displays described in
this embodiment.
[0138] FIGS. 8A to 8D are diagrams illustrating GUI displays in the
recommended program notification device of this embodiment. FIG. 9
is a state transition diagram of the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 9,
the recommended program notification device of this embodiment
performs state transitions between a non-displayed state ST31, a
detailed single displayed state ST32, a simple single displayed
state ST33, a detailed concurrent displayed state ST34, and a
simple concurrent displayed state ST35. Screens 310, 320, 330, and
340 illustrated in FIGS. 8A to 8D are exemplary screens in the
detailed single displayed state ST32, the simple single displayed
state ST33, the detailed concurrent displayed state ST34, and the
simple concurrent displayed state ST35, respectively.
[0139] Changing of displayed screens in the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 8A to 8D and 9. In the non-displayed state ST31,
as is the same as the screen 110 of FIG. 2A, only a
selected-station program video is displayed on the full screen. In
the detailed single displayed state ST32, as illustrated in FIG.
8A, a selected-station program video is displayed on the full
screen 310, which is overlaid with the detailed channel banner 311.
In the simple single displayed state ST33, as illustrated in FIG.
8B, a selected-station program video is displayed on the full
screen 320, which is overlaid with a simple channel banner 321. In
the detailed concurrent displayed state ST34, as illustrated in
FIG. 8C, a selected-station program video is displayed on the full
screen 330, which is overlaid with the detailed channel banner 311
and a notification screen 331. In the simple concurrent displayed
state ST35, as illustrated in FIG. 8D, a selected-station program
video is displayed on the full screen 340, which is overlaid with
the simple channel banner 321 and the notification screen 331.
[0140] The detailed channel banner 311 includes detailed
information about a program which is being broadcast on a currently
selected broadcast channel. For example, the detailed channel
banner 311 of FIGS. 8A and 8C includes the start time, end time,
title, and broadcast channel of the program, and a current time.
Note that the detailed channel banner 311 may include a network
type in addition to these elements. The detailed channel banner 311
is overlaid and displayed, typically as a pop-up window, on a
selected-station program video. Note that a display position and
size of the detailed channel banner 311, or the contents of
information included in the detailed channel banner 311 may be
other than those of FIGS. 8A and 8C.
[0141] The simple channel banner 321 includes information about the
program which is being broadcast on the currently selected
broadcast channel, the amount of which is smaller than that of the
detailed channel banner 311. For example, the simple channel banner
321 of FIGS. 8B and 8D includes only the name of the currently
selected broadcast channel. Note that the simple channel banner 321
may display the name of a broadcast channel using an icon created
in a manner which allows the user to identify the channel number,
the broadcast channel, and the network type, but not using a
character string.
[0142] The simple channel banner 321 is displayed so that the user
identifies a currently selected broadcast channel, as with the
detailed channel banner 311. Note that the simple channel banner
321 includes information (e.g., required minimum information for
identifying a broadcast channel), the amount of which is smaller
than that of the detailed channel banner 311. Therefore, the area
on a displayed screen of the simple channel banner 321 is smaller
than that of the detailed channel banner 311, so that viewing of a
program is less obstructed as compared to the detailed channel
banner 311. Note that the simple channel banner 321 may be assumed
to include information having an amount which is equal to or larger
than that of the detailed channel banner 311, so that the area on a
screen of the detailed channel banner 311 is reduced by reducing
the font size of characters included in the detailed channel banner
311, or using a scroll function to limit a portion simultaneously
displayed, without substantially reducing the information
amount.
[0143] In an initial state, the recommended program notification
device is in the non-displayed state ST31, and displays only a
selected-station program video, as with, for example, the screen
110 illustrated in FIG. 2A. In the non-displayed state ST31, when
selected stations are changed, and when the banner display button
is pressed (hereinafter the two cases are collectively referred to
as "when a predetermined operation is performed"), the recommended
program notification device performs a state transition. More
specifically, if there is not a recommended program when a
predetermined operation is performed in the non-displayed state
ST31, the recommended program notification device goes to the
detailed single displayed state ST32. In contrast to this, if there
is a recommended program when a predetermined operation is
performed in the non-displayed state ST31, the recommended program
notification device goes to the detailed concurrent displayed state
ST34.
[0144] In the detailed single displayed state ST32, the recommended
program notification device displays, for example, the screen 310
(FIG. 8A) including the detailed channel banner 311. In the
detailed single displayed state ST32, the recommended program
notification device calculates an elapsed time since the transition
to this state. When the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time
t1 (e.g., 15 seconds), the recommended program notification device
goes to the simple single displayed state ST33. Also when the
banner display button is pressed in the detailed single displayed
state ST32, the recommended program notification device goes to the
simple single displayed state ST33. When selected stations are
changed in the detailed single displayed state ST32, the
recommended program notification device resets the elapsed time to
be zero, and thereafter, continues to be in the detailed single
displayed state ST32.
[0145] In the simple single displayed state ST33, the recommended
program notification device displays, for example, the screen 320
including the simple channel banner 321 (FIG. 8B). When selected
stations are changed in the simple single displayed state ST33, the
recommended program notification device goes to the detailed single
displayed state ST32. When the banner display button is pressed in
the simple single displayed state ST33, the recommended program
notification device goes to the non-displayed state ST31.
[0146] In the detailed concurrent displayed state ST34, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 330 including the detailed channel banner 311 and the
notification screen 331 (FIG. 8C). In the detailed concurrent
displayed state ST34, the recommended program notification device
calculates an elapsed time since the transition to this state. When
the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time t1, the recommended
program notification device goes to the simple concurrent displayed
state ST35. Also when the banner display button is pressed in the
detailed concurrent displayed state ST34, the recommended program
notification device goes to the simple concurrent displayed state
ST35. When selected stations are changed in the detailed concurrent
displayed state ST34, the recommended program notification device
resets the elapsed time to be zero, and continues to be in the
detailed concurrent displayed state ST34. Note that, when the enter
button is pressed in the detailed concurrent displayed state ST34,
the recommended program notification device may display a video of
a recommended program or a program content about the recommended
program on the full screen.
[0147] In the simple concurrent displayed state ST35, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 340 including the simple channel banner 321 and the
notification screen 331 (FIG. 8D). In the simple concurrent
displayed state ST35, the recommended program notification device
calculates an elapsed time since the transition to this state. When
the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time t2 (e.g., 30
seconds), the recommended program notification device goes to the
simple single displayed state ST33. When selected stations are
changed in the simple concurrent displayed state ST35, the
recommended program notification device goes to the detailed
concurrent displayed state ST34. When the banner display button is
pressed in the simple concurrent displayed state ST35, the
recommended program notification device goes to the non-displayed
state ST31. Note that, when the enter button is pressed in the
simple concurrent displayed state ST35, the recommended program
notification device may display a video of a recommended program or
a program content about the recommended program on the full
screen.
[0148] As described above, if there is not a recommended program
when a predetermined operation is performed in the non-displayed
state ST31, the recommended program notification device goes to the
detailed single displayed state ST32. Thereafter, if the user does
not perform any operation, the recommended program notification
device goes to the simple single displayed state ST33 by a time-out
process. Thereby, the displayed screen is changed from the screen
310 (FIG. 8A) to the screen 320 (FIG. 8B). If there is a
recommended program when a predetermined operation is performed in
the non-displayed state ST31, the recommended program notification
device goes to the detailed concurrent displayed state ST34.
Thereafter, if the user does not perform any operation, the
recommended program notification device goes to the simple single
displayed state ST33 via the simple concurrent displayed state ST35
by a time-out process. Thereby, the displayed screen is changed
from the screen 330 (FIG. 8C) via the screen 340 (FIG. 8D) to the
screen 320 (FIG. 8B).
[0149] Regarding the displayed states of the channel banner, the
five states of FIG. 9 are divided into: a first state in which a
channel banner is not displayed (the non-displayed state ST31); a
second state in which the detailed channel banner 311 is displayed
(the detailed single displayed state ST32 and the detailed
concurrent displayed state ST34); and a third state in which the
simple channel banner 321 is displayed (the simple single displayed
state ST33 and the simple concurrent displayed state ST35). Every
time the banner display button is pressed, the recommended program
notification device goes from the first state to the second state,
from the second state to the third state, or from the third state
to the first state. Therefore, the user can select a channel banner
displayed state most suitable to a current viewing state among the
first to third states by pressing the banner display button no more
than two times.
[0150] Note that, also in the simple concurrent displayed state
ST35, the recommended program notification device calculates an
elapsed time since the transition to this state, and when a
predetermined time has elapsed, may go to the non-displayed state
ST31.
[0151] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a notification process of the
recommended program notification device of this embodiment. Among
steps illustrated in FIG. 10, steps S301, S302, and S319 to S322
correspond to the non-displayed state ST31, steps S303 to S309
correspond to the detailed single displayed state ST32 or the
detailed concurrent displayed state ST34, steps S310 and S311
correspond to the simple single displayed state ST33 or the simple
concurrent displayed state ST35, steps S312 to S313 correspond to
the simple concurrent displayed state ST35, and steps S316 to S318
correspond to the simple single displayed state ST33.
[0152] (Step S301) As in step S201, when selected stations are
changed, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S303, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S302.
[0153] (Step S302) When the banner display button is pressed, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S303, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S301. In this step, the UI control
section 3 determines whether or not the banner display button is
pressed, based on operation information output from the input
section 5.
[0154] (Step S303) The recommended program notification device
displays the detailed channel banner 311. In this step, the UI
control section 3 outputs drawing information for displaying the
detailed channel banner 311. Thereby, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A
and 8C, the display section 9 displays the screens 310 and 330
including the detailed channel banner 311.
[0155] (Step S304) As in step S202, when there is a recommended
program at that time, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S305, and when otherwise, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S306.
[0156] (Step S305) As in step S103, the recommended program
notification device displays a notification screen indicating a
program which it has been determined in step S304 that should be
recommended.
[0157] (Step S306) As in step S104, the recommended program
notification device starts measuring an elapsed time.
[0158] (Step S307) When the predetermined time t1 has elapsed
(i.e., the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time t1), the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S310, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S308.
[0159] (Step S308) As in step S302, when the banner display button
is pressed, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S310, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S309.
[0160] (Step S309) As in step S201, when selected stations are
changed, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S303, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S307.
[0161] (Step S310) The recommended program notification device
displays the simple channel banner 321. In this step, the UI
control section 3 outputs drawing information for displaying the
simple channel banner 321. Thereby, as illustrated in FIGS. 8B and
8D, the display section 9 displays the screens 320 and 340
including the simple channel banner 321.
[0162] (Step S311) When a notification screen is displayed at this
time, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S312, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S317.
[0163] (Step S312) As in step S104, the recommended program
notification device starts measuring an elapsed time.
[0164] (Step S313) When the predetermined time t2 has elapsed
(i.e., the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined time t2), the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S316, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S314.
[0165] (Step S314) As in step S302, when the banner display button
is pressed, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S319, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S315.
[0166] (Step S315) As in step S201, when selected stations are
changed, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S321, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S313.
[0167] (Step S316) As in step S109, the recommended program
notification device erases a notification screen.
[0168] (Step S317) As in step S302, when the banner display button
is pressed, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S322, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S318.
[0169] (Step S318) As in step S201, when selected stations are
changed, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S303, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S317.
[0170] (Step S319) As in step S109, the recommended program
notification device erases a notification screen.
[0171] (Step S320) The recommended program notification device
erases a channel banner. In this step, the UI control section 3
deletes drawing information about the channel banner. Note that, at
the time when the control of the recommended program notification
device reaches this step, the detailed channel banner 311 may be
displayed, the simple channel banner 321 may be displayed, or none
of these channel banners may be displayed. In this step, when any
of the channel banners is displayed, a process of erasing a
displayed channel banner is performed. When none of the channel
banners is displayed, no process is performed. After step S320, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S301.
[0172] (Step S321) As in step S109, the recommended program
notification device erases a notification screen. After step S321,
the control of the recommended program notification device goes to
step S303.
[0173] (Step S322) As in step S320, the recommended program
notification device erases a channel banner. After step S322, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S301.
[0174] As described above, according to the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, a notification screen is
displayed and erased in association with a channel display.
Therefore, the user can use the recommended program notification
function without knowledge of an operation method. In addition, by
erasing a notification screen in association with the end of a
channel display, the user can erase the channel display and the
notification screen together without learning a new operation.
[0175] <Fourth Embodiment>
[0176] In the fourth embodiment, a method of changing the
information amount of a recommended program every time the
recommendation button is pressed, will be described. FIGS. 11A to
11C are diagrams illustrating GUI displays in the recommended
program notification device of this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a state
transition diagram of the recommended program notification device
of this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the recommended
program notification device of this embodiment performs state
transitions between a non-displayed state ST41, a notification icon
displayed state ST42, and a recommendation list displayed state
ST43. Screens 410, 420, and 430 illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11C are
exemplary screens in the non-displayed state ST41, the notification
icon displayed state ST42, and the recommendation list displayed
state ST43, respectively.
[0177] Changing of displayed screens in the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 11A to 11C and 12. In the non-displayed state
ST41, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, only a selected-station program
video is displayed on the full screen 410. In the notification icon
displayed state ST42, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, a
selected-station program video is displayed on the full screen 420,
which is overlaid with a notification icon 421. In the
recommendation list displayed state ST43, as illustrated in FIG.
11C, the screen 430 which includes a PinP screen including a
selected-station program video and a recommendation list window 431
is displayed.
[0178] The notification icon 421 includes stars indicating a
program recommendation level, and a broadcast channel on which a
recommended program is broadcast. The screen 430 and the
recommendation list window 431 are assumed to be the same as the
screen 130 and the recommendation list window 132 of FIG. 2C,
respectively. The recommendation list window 431 includes more
detailed information about a recommended program.
[0179] In an initial state, the recommended program notification
device is in the non-displayed state ST41, and displays, for
example, the screen 410 of FIG. 11A. In the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment,
the UI control section 3 detects timing with which a recommended
program starts, as notification timing with which a notification
screen is displayed. When the notification timing is detected
(i.e., a recommended program starts) in the non-displayed state
ST41, the recommended program notification device goes to the
notification icon displayed state ST42. When the recommendation
button is pressed in the non-displayed state ST41, the recommended
program notification device goes to the recommendation list
displayed state ST43.
[0180] In the notification icon displayed state ST42, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 420 including the notification icon 421 (FIG. 11B). The
recommended program notification device calculates an elapsed time
since the transition to this state in the notification icon
displayed state ST42. When the recommendation button is pressed in
the notification icon displayed state ST42, the recommended program
notification device goes to the recommendation list displayed state
ST43. When a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds) has elapsed in
the notification icon displayed state ST42, or when a button other
than the recommendation button is pressed, the recommended program
notification device goes to the non-displayed state ST41. Note
that, when the enter button is pressed in the notification icon
displayed state ST42, the recommended program notification device
may display a video of a recommended program or a program content
about the recommended program on the full screen.
[0181] In the recommendation list displayed state ST43, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 430 including a selected-station program video and a program
video recommendation list window 431 (FIG. 11C). When the
recommendation button is pressed in the recommendation list
displayed state ST43, the recommended program notification device
goes to the non-displayed state ST41. Note that, when the enter
button is pressed in the recommendation list displayed state ST43,
the recommended program notification device may display a video of
a recommended program or a program content about the recommended
program on the full screen.
[0182] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a notification process of the
recommended program notification device of this embodiment. Among
steps illustrated in FIG. 13, steps S401 to S403, S409, and S413
correspond to the non-displayed state ST41, steps S404 to S408
correspond to the notification icon displayed state ST42, and steps
S410 to S412 correspond to the recommendation list displayed state
ST43.
[0183] (Step S401) When the recommendation button is pressed, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S411, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S402. In this step, the UI control
section 3 determines whether or not the recommendation button has
been pressed, based on operation information output from the input
section 5.
[0184] (Step S402) As in step S101, when the next program starts on
any channel which is currently broadcasting, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S403, and when
otherwise, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S401.
[0185] (Step S403) As in step S102, when the starting program is a
recommended program, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S404, and when otherwise, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S401.
[0186] (Step S404) The recommended program notification device
displays the notification icon 421. In this step, the UI control
section 3 outputs drawing information for displaying the
notification icon 421. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the
display section 9 displays the screen 420 including the
notification icon 421.
[0187] (Step S405) As in step S104, the recommended program
notification device starts measuring an elapsed time.
[0188] (Step S406) When a predetermined time has elapsed, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S409, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S407.
[0189] (Step S407) As in step S106, when any button is pressed, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S408, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S406.
[0190] (Step S408) As in step S107, when the button which it is
determined in step S407 that has been pressed is a recommendation
button, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S410, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S409.
[0191] (Step S409) The recommended program notification device
erases the notification icon 421. In this step, the UI control
section 3 deletes drawing information about the notification icon
421. After step S409, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S401.
[0192] (Step S410) As in step S409, the recommended program
notification device erases the notification icon 421.
[0193] (Step S411) As in step S108, the recommended program
notification device displays a list screen of recommended programs
(specifically, the recommendation list window 431).
[0194] (Step S412) As in step S401, when the recommendation button
is pressed, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S413, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S411.
[0195] (Step S413) The recommended program notification device
erases the recommended program list screen (specifically, the
recommendation list window 431). In this step, the UI control
section 3 erases drawing information about the recommendation list
window 431. After step S413, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S401.
[0196] As described above, according to the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, if the user inputs a
recommendation control instruction which is generated by pressing
the recommendation button, the program recommendation function can
be used, irrespective of the displayed state of a notification
screen. By inputting a recommendation control instruction a
required number of times, the information amount of a recommended
program can be changed in a stepwise manner. Therefore, the user
can correctly determine whether or not to view a program based on
necessary and sufficient information. In addition, since the
notification screen does not include information more than
necessary, it is possible to reduce the notification screen,
thereby making it possible to prevent viewing of a program from
being obstructed.
[0197] <Fifth Embodiment>
[0198] In the fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, a
method of changing the information amount of a recommended program
every time the recommendation button is pressed, will be described.
Note that, in this embodiment, the number of steps which change the
information amount is larger by one than that of the fourth
embodiment. FIGS. 14A to 14D are diagrams illustrating GUI displays
in the recommended program notification device of this embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a state transition diagram of the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 15,
the recommended program notification device of this embodiment
performs state transitions between a non-displayed state ST51, a
notification icon displayed state ST52, a simple recommendation
list displayed state ST53, and a recommendation list displayed
state ST54. Screens 510, 520, 530, and 540 illustrated in FIGS. 14A
to 14D are exemplary screens in the non-displayed state ST51, the
notification icon displayed state ST52, the simple recommendation
list displayed state ST53, and the recommendation list displayed
state ST54, respectively.
[0199] Changing of displayed screens in the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment will be described with
reference to FIGS. 14A to 14D and 15. In the non-displayed state
ST51, as illustrated in FIG. 14A, only a selected-station program
video is displayed on the full screen 510. In the notification icon
displayed state ST52, as illustrated in FIG. 14B, a
selected-station program video is displayed on the full screen 520,
which is overlaid with a notification icon 521. In the simple
recommendation list displayed state ST53, as illustrated in FIG.
14C, a selected-station program video is displayed on the full
screen 530, which is overlaid with a simple recommendation list
531. In the recommendation list displayed state ST54, as
illustrated in FIG. 14D, the screen 540 which includes a PinP
screen including a selected-station program video and a
recommendation list window 541 is displayed.
[0200] Note that the screen 520 and the notification icon 521 are
the same as the screen 420 and the notification icon 421 (FIG.
11B), respectively. The screen 530 and the simple recommendation
list 531 are the same as the screen 120 and the notification screen
121 (FIG. 2B), respectively. The screen 540 and the recommendation
list window 541 are the same as the screen 430 and the
recommendation list window 431 (FIG. 11C).
[0201] The state transition diagram of FIG. 15 is the same as the
state transition diagram (FIG. 12) of the recommended program
notification device of the fourth embodiment, except that the
simple recommendation list displayed state ST53 is added. In an
initial state, the recommended program notification device is in
the non-displayed state ST51, and displays, for example, the screen
510 of FIG. 14A. In the recommended program notification device of
this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the UI control section
3 detects timing with which a recommended program starts, as
notification timing with which a notification screen is displayed.
When the notification timing is detected (i.e., a recommended
program starts) in the non-displayed state ST51, the recommended
program notification device goes to the notification icon displayed
state ST52. When the recommendation button is pressed in the
non-displayed state ST51, the recommended program notification
device goes to the recommendation list displayed state ST54.
[0202] In the notification icon displayed state ST52, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 520 including the notification icon 521 (FIG. 14B). In the
notification icon displayed state ST52, the recommended program
notification device calculates an elapsed time since the transition
to this state. When the recommendation button is pressed in the
notification icon displayed state ST52, the recommended program
notification device goes to the simple recommendation list
displayed state ST53. When a predetermined time (e.g., 30 seconds)
has elapsed in the notification icon displayed state ST52, or when
a button other than the recommendation button is pressed, the
recommended program notification device goes to the non-displayed
state ST51. Note that, when the enter button is pressed in the
notification icon displayed state ST52, the recommended program
notification device may display a video of a recommended program or
a program content about the recommended program on the full
screen.
[0203] In the simple recommendation list displayed state ST53, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 530 including the simple recommendation list 531 (FIG. 14C).
When the recommendation button is pressed in the simple
recommendation list displayed state ST53, the recommended program
notification device goes to the recommendation list displayed state
ST54. This state transition is performed when the user is
interested in a program included in the simple recommendation list
531 and wants to obtain more detailed information. When a button
other than the recommendation button is pressed in the simple
recommendation list displayed state ST53, the recommended program
notification device goes to the non-displayed state ST51. Note
that, when the enter button is pressed in the simple recommendation
list displayed state ST53, the recommended program notification
device may display a video of a recommended program or a program
content about the recommended program on the full screen.
[0204] In the recommendation list displayed state ST54, the
recommended program notification device displays, for example, the
screen 540 including a selected-station program video and the
recommendation list window 541 (FIG. 14D). When the recommendation
button is pressed in the recommendation list displayed state ST54,
the recommended program notification device goes to the
non-displayed state ST51. Note that, when the enter button is
pressed in the recommendation list displayed state ST54, the
recommended program notification device may display a video of a
recommended program or a program content about the recommended
program on the full screen.
[0205] As described above, when the recommendation button is
pressed while the notification icon 521 is not being displayed, the
recommended program notification device performs alternating
transitions between the non-displayed state ST51 and the
recommendation list displayed state ST54. When the recommendation
button is pressed while the notification icon 521 is being
displayed, the recommended program notification device goes to the
simple recommendation list displayed state ST53. In this case, when
the recommendation button is pressed again, the recommended program
notification device further goes to the recommendation list
displayed state ST54. In this case, every time the recommendation
button is pressed, the information amount of a recommended program
is increased in a stepwise manner. Therefore, by pressing the same
recommendation button a required number of times, the user can
obtain more detailed information about the same recommended
program.
[0206] Note that the notification icon 521 may have any function of
notifying of the existence of a recommended program, and may not
necessarily include information, such as a program recommendation
level, a broadcast channel, or the like. The recommended program
notification device may notify of the existence of a recommended
program using a means different from the notification icon 521. For
example, the recommended program notification device may turn on a
lamp (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) which is provided
separately from the display section 9, in order to notify of the
existence of a recommended program. Alternatively, the recommended
program notification device may provide a sensation in addition to
a visual sensation, such as generation of any sound, vibration of a
remote control device, or the like.
[0207] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a notification process of a
recommended program notification device of the fifth embodiment.
Among steps illustrated in FIG. 16, steps S501 to S503, S509, and
S517 correspond to the non-displayed state ST51, steps S504 to S508
correspond to the notification icon displayed state ST52, steps
S510 to S512 correspond to the simple recommendation list displayed
state ST53, and steps S513 to S516 correspond to the recommendation
list displayed state ST54. Steps S501 to S510 and steps S515 to
S517 are the same as steps S401 to S410 and steps S411 to S413,
respectively, and will not be here described.
[0208] (Step S511) The recommended program notification device
displays the simple recommendation list 531. In this step, the UI
control section 3 outputs drawing information for drawing the
simple recommendation list 531 based on recommendation information
output from the recommendation process section 2. Thereby, as
illustrated in FIG. 14C, the display section 9 displays the screen
530 including the simple recommendation list 531.
[0209] (Step S512) As in step S106, when any button is pressed, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S513, and when otherwise, the control of the recommended program
notification device continues to be in step S512.
[0210] (Step S513) The recommended program notification device
erases the simple recommendation list 531. In this step, the UI
control section 3 erases drawing information about the simple
recommendation list 531.
[0211] (Step S514) As in step S107, when a button which is
determined that has been pressed in step S512 is a recommendation
button, the control of the recommended program notification device
goes to step S515, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S501.
[0212] As described above, the recommended program notification
device of this embodiment includes the simple recommendation list
displayed state. Thereby, in addition to the effect of the fourth
embodiment, the user can obtain necessary and sufficient
information for determining whether or not to view a program.
[0213] <Sixth Embodiment>
[0214] In the sixth embodiment, a method of notifying of a reason
for recommendation of a program (information for causing the user
to understand why the recommended program notification device
recommends the program) in addition to identification information
(e.g., a program title) about the recommended program when
notifying of the recommended program, will be described. FIG. 17 is
a diagram indicating a GUI display in the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment. As has been described in
the fifth embodiment, as a method of notifying of a recommended
program, for example, there are a method of using a notification
icon, a method of using a simple recommendation list, a method of
using a recommendation list window, and the like.
[0215] A screen 610 illustrated in FIG. 17A is an exemplary screen
including a recommendation reason in a notification icon. Any of
notification icons 611a to 611c is overlaid and displayed on the
screen 610. The notification icons 611a to 611c include the
recommendation level of a program (represented by the number of
stars), and in addition, a recommendation reason for the program.
More specifically, the notification icon 611a includes a character
string "staple" indicating that the recommendation reason is that
the program is frequently viewed. Note that, instead of the
character string "staple", a character string, such as "frequently
viewed", "regular", "familiar", or the like, or a symbol indicating
repetition may be included in the notification icon 611a. The
notification icon 611b includes a character string "Hanako
Nakamura" indicating that the recommendation reason is that a
specific performer "Hanako Nakamura" appears in a program. The
notification icon 611c includes a character string "quiz"
indicating that the recommendation reason is that the program
belongs to a specific genre (also referred to as a category)
"quiz".
[0216] A screen 620 illustrated in FIG. 17B is an exemplary screen
including a recommendation reason in a simple recommendation list.
Any of simple recommendation lists 621a to 621c is overlaid and
displayed on the screen 620. The simple recommendation lists 621a
to 621c include the recommendation level, broadcast channel, start
time, end time, and program title of a program, and in addition, a
recommendation reason for the program. More specifically, the
simple recommendation list 621a includes a character string
"regularly viewed program is starting" indicating that the
recommendation reason is that the program is frequently viewed. The
simple recommendation list 621b includes a character string
"program in which `Hanako Nakamura` appears is starting" indicating
that the recommendation reason is that the specific performer
"Hanako Nakamura" appears in the program. The simple recommendation
list 621c includes a character string "quiz program is starting"
indicating that the recommendation reason is that the program
belongs to a specific genre "quiz".
[0217] A screen 630 of FIG. 17C is an exemplary screen including a
recommendation reason in a recommendation list window. The screen
630 includes a program recommendation list 631. The program
recommendation list 631 includes, as recommendation information
632a to 632c, the recommendation level, broadcast channel, start
time, end time, and program title of each program, and in addition,
a recommendation reason for the program. The recommendation
information 632a includes a character string "staple!" indicating
that the recommendation reason is that the program is frequently
viewed. The recommendation information 632b includes a character
string "Hanako Nakamura!" indicating that the recommendation reason
is that the specific performer "Hanako Nakamura" appears in the
program. The recommendation information 632c includes a character
string "quiz!" indicating that the recommendation reason is that
the program belongs to the specific genre "quiz".
[0218] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a notification process of the
recommended program notification device of this embodiment. In the
notification process of this embodiment, the following steps are
executed.
[0219] (Step S601) The recommended program notification device
extracts a set of recommended programs. In this step, the
recommendation process section 2 searches content attributes
obtained from the content attribute management section 10 to
extract a list of recommended programs. The result of the
extraction is output as recommendation information to the UI
control section 3.
[0220] (Step S602) When there is the next program which should be
selected, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S603, and when otherwise, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S611.
[0221] (Step S603) The recommended program notification device
selects one program from the set of recommended programs extracted
in step S601.
[0222] (Step S604) When the program selected in step S603 is
frequently viewed, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S605, and when otherwise, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S606. In this step, the UI control section 3 inquires of the
recommendation process section 2 whether or not the recommendation
reason for the program selected in step S603 is that the program is
frequently viewed.
[0223] (Step S605) The recommended program notification device
substitutes the character string "staple" into a reason character
string. In this step, the UI control section 3 outputs drawing
information for displaying any of a notification icon 611, a simple
recommendation list 621, and a recommendation information 632.
After step S605, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S602.
[0224] (Step S606) When the program selected in step S603 is a
program in which a specific performer appears, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S607, and when
otherwise, the control of the recommended program notification
device goes to step S608. In this step, the UI control section 3
inquires of the recommendation process section 2 whether or not the
recommendation reason for the program selected in step S603 is that
a specific performer appears in the program. When the result of the
inquiry is positive, the recommendation process section 2 returns
the inquiry result to which information for identifying the
performer is attached.
[0225] (Step S607) The recommended program notification device
substitutes the name of the performer into a reason character
string. In this step, the UI control section 3 obtains the name of
the performer from the information for identifying the performer
which is returned in step S606. After step S607, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S602.
[0226] (Step S608) When the program selected in step S603 belongs
to a specific genre, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S609, and when otherwise, the
control of the recommended program notification device goes to step
S610. In this step, the UI control section 3 inquires of the
recommendation process section 2 whether or not the recommendation
reason for the program selected in step S603 is that the program
belongs to a specific genre. When the result of the inquiry is
positive, the recommendation process section 2 returns the inquiry
result to which information for identifying the performer is
attached.
[0227] (Step S609) The recommended program notification device
substitutes the name of the genre into a reason character string.
In this step, the UI control section 3 obtains the genre name from
the information for identifying the genre which is returned in step
S608. After step S609, the control of the recommended program
notification device goes to step S602.
[0228] (Step S610) The recommended program notification device
deletes the program selected in step S603 from the recommended
program set. Thereby, a program for which an appropriate
recommendation reason was not able to be discovered is removed from
the recommended program set. After step S610, the control of the
recommended program notification device goes to step S602.
[0229] As described above, a set of recommended programs is
extracted in step S601, one recommended program is selected in step
S603, and a recommendation reason is obtained for the selected
program in steps S604 to S609. After the process of obtaining a
recommendation reason for all recommended programs is completed,
the control of the recommended program notification device goes to
step S611.
[0230] (Step S611) The recommended program notification device
rearranges the programs included in the recommended program set in
order of presentation.
[0231] (step S612) The recommended program notification device
generates a notification screen including a reason character
string. In this step, the UI control section 3 outputs drawing
information for displaying a notification screen including the
character string which is substituted in any of steps S605, S607,
and S609.
[0232] (Step S613) The recommended program notification device
displays the notification screen generated in step S612. Thereby,
the display section 9 displays any of the screens 610, 620, and 630
of FIGS. 17A to 17C.
[0233] Although it has been described that the recommended program
notification device obtains three types of recommendation reasons,
the program recommendation reason is not limited to those described
above. For example, a recommendation reason for a program may be
that a specific character string is contained in a document
accompanying the program. Particularly, a free keyword which is an
arbitrary character string input by the user using a keyboard or
the like may be used as the specific character string, and the
title, content description, or the like of the program may be used
as the document accompanying the program. When the recommendation
reason is that a specific character string is included in the
document accompanying the program, the recommended program
notification device may display a notification screen similar to
that when a recommendation reason about a performer is
detected.
[0234] As described above, according to the recommended program
notification device of this embodiment, a notification screen
including a recommendation reason for a program is displayed.
Therefore, the user can quickly determine whether or not to view
the program, based on the displayed recommendation reason. In
addition, since a program which does not have an appropriate
recommendation reason is not included in the notification screen,
further narrowed recommended program candidates can be
preferentially presented to the user. Although the method of
notifying of a program recommendation reason included in a
notification icon, a simple recommendation list, or the like has
been described in this embodiment, this method may be applied to
the recommended program notification devices of the first to fifth
embodiments. Specifically, the recommended program notification
device of each embodiment may additionally display a recommendation
reason for a program when a program content of the recommended
program is displayed on the full screen.
[0235] Note that the recommended program notification device of
each embodiment can be configured using a computer, and a computer
recordable recording medium which records a program for executing
the recommended program notification method on the computer.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0236] The recommended program notification method and the
recommended program notification device of the present invention
have an effect of automatically notifying of the existence of a
program which fits a user's preference in a quick and simple
manner, and therefore, can be used for notification of a
recommended program using GUI in a television set, an Internet
broadcast reception device, a computer connected to a content
distribution system, and the like.
* * * * *